Brighton Bypass
Encyclopedia
The Brighton Bypass is a A$
164 million bypass
currently under construction on the Midland Highway between Bridgewater
and Pontville
, just north of Hobart
in southern Tasmania
. Construction of the 9.5 km federally funded Dual carriageway
started in April 2009, and is expected to be completed in conjunction with the Brighton Transport Hub
in 2012. The Highway is being constructed as part of the Southern Transport Investment Program
, a 10 year investment on Transport infrastructure in the area. The Bagdad Bypass
and the replacement of the ageing Bridgewater Bridge will be constructed as stage 2 of the program.
to facilitate communication between the north and the south of Tasmania.
Hobart inbound and outbound freight was always transferred via the Port of Hobart or the rail line. Over the past 20 years freight in the Port of Hobart has declined in favor transporting cargo to the ports to the north of the state. The Southern Railway Line
has become outdated and unsafe after years of poor maintenance and is no longer an easy alternative to road transport. The Midland Highway still passes through a lot of its original alignment - including the CBD of Brighton. With commercial, residential and local streets right on the Highway as well as a school in close proximity, there are several safety concerns with the highway in its existing alignment.
released the Southern Transport Investment Program
, a comprehensive Transport study which marked a clear plan and timetable for constructing the bypass. The bypass is designed to be a new fully grade separated
Dual carriageway
Highway from the Bridgewater roundabout to just north of Pontville. The sweeping Bypass has been designed to be safe and provide a high level of service. Construction of the bypass will also facilitate a seamless connection to the Brighton Transport Hub
and provide opportunities to realign the south line
in certain sections. After intense lobbying on behalf of the State government and councils involved, the construction of the bypass became a Federal election issue, with both major parties pledging financial support towards its construction.
approved 10.5 million dollars to start excavation work on the Bypass, with the state government describing it as "the biggest infrastructure project in southern Tasmania".
The new dual carriageway road will be built concurrently with the $79 million southern transport hub.
The project was fast-tracked as part of the Federal Government's economic stimulus package. Funds from the Rudd Government are paying for the Brighton bypass, while the Tasmanian government is funding the road and rail freight transport interchange at Brighton.
Construction commenced in April 2009 - A month early. During May 2010, Lara Giddings
Announced the opening of Glenstone Road. Constructed as the Brighton Transport Hub
Link Road, the road has detoured the traffic flow around the Midland Highway in the area of the Brighton Industrial Estate to enable construction of the bypass in that area.
Construction of the bypass is scheduled to be completed in 2012, it is currently 18 months ahead of schedule.
The southernmost 2 km stretch of the Brighton Bypass opened to the public on Monday 13 December 2010.
conducted a protest at the Jordan River crossing of the proposed road, stating that construction would destroy an Aboriginal site of potential world significance. Over the next few days, twenty protesters were arrested while attempting to halt work on the bypass. Local Aboriginal activist Michael Mansell
called for the bypass to be scrapped stating that to continue would be cultural vandalism on an extreme scale. In February 2010, the aboriginal community gave archaeologists permission to excavate the site, after the state government agreed to consult more closely with it about the cultural values of the site.
commissioned peer reviews of the results which did not agree with the findings of the original report. There are a range of opinions on the merits of both the original study and the peer reviews.
By this stage, construction across the Jordan River Levee site was a fait accompli because the bypass had already been constructed to the edge of the river valley and building a bridge on the site was the only option that the Tasmanian government would consider. The government estimated the cost of the bridge at $5 - $10 million and claimed that its construction would protect the site. The local aboriginal community rejected the bridge proposal and immediately appealed to the Minister of Heritage, David O'Byrne
. Over the following weeks, representatives of the aboriginal community negotiated with the government over the site. They suggested the government re-route funds from their failed Tarkine road project into diverting the bypass around the Levee. They proposed to have the road follow the train tracks before crossing the Jordan River. The government rejected this idea, as funding for the Tarkine road was designated for the north-west of the state and creating a diversion in the sweeping bypass would lower the speed limit, create unsafe geometry, and be almost impossible to build without altering the site of the rail bridge. The aboriginal community then released an amended plan proposing to have the highway cut through the southern tip of the Brighton Suburb
. The government rejected this proposal also, stating that the amended plans would cost an additional $60 million and not address all the safety concerns.
On 17 December 2010, Tasmanian Aboriginals set up camp on the levee and vowed not to budge as bulldozers rolled in. They named the levee "Kutalayna".
On 25 January 2011 Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese
announced his support for the state government’s preferred crossing of the Jordan River after the Independent review launched by the Federal government was finalised. The report's key findings stated that the alternative bridging options would increase the overall cost of the bypass by at least $127 million and delay its completion by up to 4 years while new planning and environmental approvals were sought. It also noted that changing the route of the bypass would add between $82 and $140 million to the overall cost of the project.
On 6 March 2011, the protesters attracted 200 people to an open day held at Camp Kutalayna in a show of community support. Visitors were given a tour of the area and told of its cultural and historical significance.
On 11 April 2011, Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage, Brian Wightman
approved a construction environmental management plan enabling construction to start on the Bridge. The following day The Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources said it was about to start constructing fences around the boundary of the construction site. The department said they would provide a fenced "safe zone" for Aboriginal protesters. They also said they were prepared for confrontation with protesters at the Jordan River levee site, but were hopeful protests would not escalate to a point where force would be required.
Note: distances measured from plan
Australian dollar
The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
164 million bypass
Bypass (road)
A bypass is a road or highway that avoids or "bypasses" a built-up area, town, or village, to let through traffic flow without interference from local traffic, to reduce congestion in the built-up area, and to improve road safety....
currently under construction on the Midland Highway between Bridgewater
Bridgewater, Tasmania
Bridgewater, Tasmania, is one greater Hobart's northern-most suburbs, located 19 km from the city. It is situated on the eastern shore of the Derwent River. It is a suburb of the local government area of the Municipality of Brighton....
and Pontville
Pontville, Tasmania
Pontville is a small rural community north of Hobart, in the south east of Tasmania, Australia. At the 2006 census, Pontville had a population of 2,166....
, just north of Hobart
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
in southern Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
. Construction of the 9.5 km federally funded Dual carriageway
Dual carriageway
A dual carriageway is a class of highway with two carriageways for traffic travelling in opposite directions separated by a central reservation...
started in April 2009, and is expected to be completed in conjunction with the Brighton Transport Hub
Brighton Transport Hub
The Brighton Transport Hub is a $79 million Intermodal Transport hub currently under construction in conjunction with the Brighton Bypass on the northern fringes of Hobart, in southern Tasmania. The Bridgewater Industrial Estate was chosen as the preferred site of the Inland port because of its...
in 2012. The Highway is being constructed as part of the Southern Transport Investment Program
Southern Transport Investment Program
The Southern Transport Investment Program is a road and rail transport plan for the northern outskirts of Hobart instituted in 2007 by the Tasmanian state government. It outlines most prominently an extensive upgrade of the Midland Highway, including the Brighton Bypass, the Bagdad Bypass and the...
, a 10 year investment on Transport infrastructure in the area. The Bagdad Bypass
Bagdad Bypass
The Bagdad Bypass is a proposed bypass of the Midland Highway, through Bagdad, Tasmania. While not a new proposal, the idea began gaining momentum on the release of the Southern Transport Investment Program. The road will be initially constructed as a two-lane highway with extra earthworks...
and the replacement of the ageing Bridgewater Bridge will be constructed as stage 2 of the program.
History
The Midland Highway was constructed in the early 19th century19th century
The 19th century was a period in history marked by the collapse of the Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Holy Roman and Mughal empires...
to facilitate communication between the north and the south of Tasmania.
Hobart inbound and outbound freight was always transferred via the Port of Hobart or the rail line. Over the past 20 years freight in the Port of Hobart has declined in favor transporting cargo to the ports to the north of the state. The Southern Railway Line
South Line, Tasmania
The South Line, also known as the Main Line and sometimes the North/South Line or the North–South Line, is a freight rail corridor connecting Hobart to the northern ports of Tasmania. The Railway Line was built by the Tasmanian Main Line Company...
has become outdated and unsafe after years of poor maintenance and is no longer an easy alternative to road transport. The Midland Highway still passes through a lot of its original alignment - including the CBD of Brighton. With commercial, residential and local streets right on the Highway as well as a school in close proximity, there are several safety concerns with the highway in its existing alignment.
Planning
In 2007, the Lennon governmentPaul Lennon
Paul Anthony Lennon is an Australian Labor Party politician. He was Premier of Tasmania from 21 March 2004 until his resignation on 26 May 2008. He was member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly for the seat of Franklin from 1990 until officially resigning on 27 May 2008...
released the Southern Transport Investment Program
Southern Transport Investment Program
The Southern Transport Investment Program is a road and rail transport plan for the northern outskirts of Hobart instituted in 2007 by the Tasmanian state government. It outlines most prominently an extensive upgrade of the Midland Highway, including the Brighton Bypass, the Bagdad Bypass and the...
, a comprehensive Transport study which marked a clear plan and timetable for constructing the bypass. The bypass is designed to be a new fully grade separated
Grade separation
Grade separation is the method of aligning a junction of two or more transport axes at different heights so that they will not disrupt the traffic flow on other transit routes when they cross each other. The composition of such transport axes does not have to be uniform; it can consist of a...
Dual carriageway
Dual carriageway
A dual carriageway is a class of highway with two carriageways for traffic travelling in opposite directions separated by a central reservation...
Highway from the Bridgewater roundabout to just north of Pontville. The sweeping Bypass has been designed to be safe and provide a high level of service. Construction of the bypass will also facilitate a seamless connection to the Brighton Transport Hub
Brighton Transport Hub
The Brighton Transport Hub is a $79 million Intermodal Transport hub currently under construction in conjunction with the Brighton Bypass on the northern fringes of Hobart, in southern Tasmania. The Bridgewater Industrial Estate was chosen as the preferred site of the Inland port because of its...
and provide opportunities to realign the south line
South Line, Tasmania
The South Line, also known as the Main Line and sometimes the North/South Line or the North–South Line, is a freight rail corridor connecting Hobart to the northern ports of Tasmania. The Railway Line was built by the Tasmanian Main Line Company...
in certain sections. After intense lobbying on behalf of the State government and councils involved, the construction of the bypass became a Federal election issue, with both major parties pledging financial support towards its construction.
Construction
In January 2009 The Rudd GovernmentRudd Government
The Rudd Government refers to the federal Executive Government of Australia of the Australian Labor Party from 2007 to 2010, led by Kevin Rudd as Prime Minister. The Rudd Government commenced on 3 December 2007, when Rudd was sworn in along with his ministry...
approved 10.5 million dollars to start excavation work on the Bypass, with the state government describing it as "the biggest infrastructure project in southern Tasmania".
The new dual carriageway road will be built concurrently with the $79 million southern transport hub.
The project was fast-tracked as part of the Federal Government's economic stimulus package. Funds from the Rudd Government are paying for the Brighton bypass, while the Tasmanian government is funding the road and rail freight transport interchange at Brighton.
Construction commenced in April 2009 - A month early. During May 2010, Lara Giddings
Lara Giddings
Larissa Tahireh "Lara" Giddings is an Australian politician and the 44th and current Premier of Tasmania since January 2011...
Announced the opening of Glenstone Road. Constructed as the Brighton Transport Hub
Brighton Transport Hub
The Brighton Transport Hub is a $79 million Intermodal Transport hub currently under construction in conjunction with the Brighton Bypass on the northern fringes of Hobart, in southern Tasmania. The Bridgewater Industrial Estate was chosen as the preferred site of the Inland port because of its...
Link Road, the road has detoured the traffic flow around the Midland Highway in the area of the Brighton Industrial Estate to enable construction of the bypass in that area.
Construction of the bypass is scheduled to be completed in 2012, it is currently 18 months ahead of schedule.
The southernmost 2 km stretch of the Brighton Bypass opened to the public on Monday 13 December 2010.
Aboriginal heritage issues
The Brighton Bypass remains controversial because of the Tasmanian government's refusal to properly investigate the proposed road corridor for Aboriginal sites prior to construction. In September 2009 local AboriginalsTasmanian Aborigines
The Tasmanian Aborigines were the indigenous people of the island state of Tasmania, Australia. Before British colonisation in 1803, there were an estimated 3,000–15,000 Parlevar. A number of historians point to introduced disease as the major cause of the destruction of the full-blooded...
conducted a protest at the Jordan River crossing of the proposed road, stating that construction would destroy an Aboriginal site of potential world significance. Over the next few days, twenty protesters were arrested while attempting to halt work on the bypass. Local Aboriginal activist Michael Mansell
Michael Mansell
Michael Mansell is an Aboriginal lawyer and activist, who has dedicated his life to social, political and legal reform to improve the lives and social standing of Tasmanian Aborigines....
called for the bypass to be scrapped stating that to continue would be cultural vandalism on an extreme scale. In February 2010, the aboriginal community gave archaeologists permission to excavate the site, after the state government agreed to consult more closely with it about the cultural values of the site.
Jordan River Levee
Stone and Everett alerted the Tasmanian government to the potential cultural and scientific significance of the Jordan River Levee in October 2008. The recommendations of that report were ignored by the state until construction of the bypass had reached the levee site and threatened to destroy it completely. In early March 2010, a hastily convened archaeological excavation of the site uncovered stone tools dating back 42,000 years - the most southerly human habitation in the world at this time. In response, the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE)Department of Primary Industries and Water
The Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment is the department of the Government of Tasmania responsible for supporting primary industry development, the protection of Tasmania's natural environment, effective land and water management and the protection of Tasmania's...
commissioned peer reviews of the results which did not agree with the findings of the original report. There are a range of opinions on the merits of both the original study and the peer reviews.
By this stage, construction across the Jordan River Levee site was a fait accompli because the bypass had already been constructed to the edge of the river valley and building a bridge on the site was the only option that the Tasmanian government would consider. The government estimated the cost of the bridge at $5 - $10 million and claimed that its construction would protect the site. The local aboriginal community rejected the bridge proposal and immediately appealed to the Minister of Heritage, David O'Byrne
David O'Byrne
David O'Byrne is an Australian trade unionist and politician. A prominent union leader prior to entering politics and the brother of fellow politician Michelle O'Byrne, he has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly since 2010, representing the electorate of...
. Over the following weeks, representatives of the aboriginal community negotiated with the government over the site. They suggested the government re-route funds from their failed Tarkine road project into diverting the bypass around the Levee. They proposed to have the road follow the train tracks before crossing the Jordan River. The government rejected this idea, as funding for the Tarkine road was designated for the north-west of the state and creating a diversion in the sweeping bypass would lower the speed limit, create unsafe geometry, and be almost impossible to build without altering the site of the rail bridge. The aboriginal community then released an amended plan proposing to have the highway cut through the southern tip of the Brighton Suburb
Brighton, Tasmania
Brighton is a suburb 27km north of Hobart, in Tasmania, Australia. It lies between Pontville and the outer Hobart suburb of Bridgewater on the Midland Highway. At the 2006 census, Brighton had a population of 3,145.-History:...
. The government rejected this proposal also, stating that the amended plans would cost an additional $60 million and not address all the safety concerns.
On 17 December 2010, Tasmanian Aboriginals set up camp on the levee and vowed not to budge as bulldozers rolled in. They named the levee "Kutalayna".
On 25 January 2011 Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese
Anthony Albanese
Anthony Norman Albanese , Australian politician, who serves as Leader of the House of Representatives and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport in the Gillard Ministry...
announced his support for the state government’s preferred crossing of the Jordan River after the Independent review launched by the Federal government was finalised. The report's key findings stated that the alternative bridging options would increase the overall cost of the bypass by at least $127 million and delay its completion by up to 4 years while new planning and environmental approvals were sought. It also noted that changing the route of the bypass would add between $82 and $140 million to the overall cost of the project.
On 6 March 2011, the protesters attracted 200 people to an open day held at Camp Kutalayna in a show of community support. Visitors were given a tour of the area and told of its cultural and historical significance.
On 11 April 2011, Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage, Brian Wightman
Brian Wightman
Brian Neal Wightman is an Australian politician. Of Northern Irish descent, he was educated in Launceston, Tasmania. He studied to be a teacher at the University of Tasmania before teaching at George Town...
approved a construction environmental management plan enabling construction to start on the Bridge. The following day The Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources said it was about to start constructing fences around the boundary of the construction site. The department said they would provide a fenced "safe zone" for Aboriginal protesters. They also said they were prepared for confrontation with protesters at the Jordan River levee site, but were hopeful protests would not escalate to a point where force would be required.
Exits
Brighton Bypass  |
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| Southbound interchanges | Distance from East Derwent Highway (km) |
Distance from Pontville Roundabout (km) |
Northbound interchanges |
| End Brighton Bypass continues as Midland Highway to Hobart Hobart Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as... |
0 | 9.5 | Start Brighton Bypass from Midland Highway |
| Lindisfarne Lindisfarne, Tasmania Lindisfarne is a suburb of Hobart's Eastern Shore, located approximately 6 kilometres from the City Centre and is part of the municipal City of Clarence.-History:... East Derwent Highway East Derwent Highway The East Derwent Highway is a highway in Hobart, Australia. The highway is a Trunk road that carries heavy commuter traffic much like the Brooker Highway, except on the Eastern side of the Derwent River...  .svg.png) |
Lindisfarne Lindisfarne, Tasmania Lindisfarne is a suburb of Hobart's Eastern Shore, located approximately 6 kilometres from the City Centre and is part of the municipal City of Clarence.-History:... East Derwent Highway East Derwent Highway The East Derwent Highway is a highway in Hobart, Australia. The highway is a Trunk road that carries heavy commuter traffic much like the Brooker Highway, except on the Eastern side of the Derwent River... |
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| No Access | 0.4 | 9.1 | Brighton Transport Hub Brighton Transport Hub The Brighton Transport Hub is a $79 million Intermodal Transport hub currently under construction in conjunction with the Brighton Bypass on the northern fringes of Hobart, in southern Tasmania. The Bridgewater Industrial Estate was chosen as the preferred site of the Inland port because of its... |
| Brighton Transport Hub Brighton Transport Hub The Brighton Transport Hub is a $79 million Intermodal Transport hub currently under construction in conjunction with the Brighton Bypass on the northern fringes of Hobart, in southern Tasmania. The Bridgewater Industrial Estate was chosen as the preferred site of the Inland port because of its... |
0.8 | 8.7 | No Access |
| Brighton Brighton, Tasmania Brighton is a suburb 27km north of Hobart, in Tasmania, Australia. It lies between Pontville and the outer Hobart suburb of Bridgewater on the Midland Highway. At the 2006 census, Brighton had a population of 3,145.-History:... , Brighton Transport Hub Brighton Transport Hub The Brighton Transport Hub is a $79 million Intermodal Transport hub currently under construction in conjunction with the Brighton Bypass on the northern fringes of Hobart, in southern Tasmania. The Bridgewater Industrial Estate was chosen as the preferred site of the Inland port because of its... Midland Highway |
2.4 | 7.1 | Brighton Brighton, Tasmania Brighton is a suburb 27km north of Hobart, in Tasmania, Australia. It lies between Pontville and the outer Hobart suburb of Bridgewater on the Midland Highway. At the 2006 census, Brighton had a population of 3,145.-History:... , Brighton Transport Hub Brighton Transport Hub The Brighton Transport Hub is a $79 million Intermodal Transport hub currently under construction in conjunction with the Brighton Bypass on the northern fringes of Hobart, in southern Tasmania. The Bridgewater Industrial Estate was chosen as the preferred site of the Inland port because of its... Midland Highway |
| Brighton Brighton, Tasmania Brighton is a suburb 27km north of Hobart, in Tasmania, Australia. It lies between Pontville and the outer Hobart suburb of Bridgewater on the Midland Highway. At the 2006 census, Brighton had a population of 3,145.-History:... , Triabunna Triabunna, Tasmania Triabunna is the largest township on the east coast of Tasmania, is the civic and municipal heart of the Glamorgan Spring Bay Council, and is located 84 kilometres to the northeast of the state capital Hobart. It is a coastal town situated on the Tasman Highway, and is sheltered within Spring Bay... Tea Tree Road |
5.8 | 3.7 | Brighton Brighton, Tasmania Brighton is a suburb 27km north of Hobart, in Tasmania, Australia. It lies between Pontville and the outer Hobart suburb of Bridgewater on the Midland Highway. At the 2006 census, Brighton had a population of 3,145.-History:... , Triabunna Triabunna, Tasmania Triabunna is the largest township on the east coast of Tasmania, is the civic and municipal heart of the Glamorgan Spring Bay Council, and is located 84 kilometres to the northeast of the state capital Hobart. It is a coastal town situated on the Tasman Highway, and is sheltered within Spring Bay... Tea Tree Road |
| Pontville Pontville, Tasmania Pontville is a small rural community north of Hobart, in the south east of Tasmania, Australia. At the 2006 census, Pontville had a population of 2,166.... Midland Highway |
9.5 | 0 | Pontville Pontville, Tasmania Pontville is a small rural community north of Hobart, in the south east of Tasmania, Australia. At the 2006 census, Pontville had a population of 2,166.... Midland Highway |
| Start Brighton Bypass continues from Midland Highway |
End Brighton Bypass continues as Midland Highway to Launceston Launceston, Tasmania Launceston is a city in the north of the state of Tasmania, Australia at the junction of the North Esk and South Esk rivers where they become the Tamar River. Launceston is the second largest city in Tasmania after the state capital Hobart... |
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Note: distances measured from plan